Draft and buffing gear for cars.



PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

M. A. GARRETT.

DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR FOR CARS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1904.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

M. A. GARRETT.

DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR FOR. CARS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8, 1904.

2 SHEETSSHBBT 2.

UNITED STATES Patented February '7, 1905.

MYERS A. GARRETT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR FOR CARS- SPECIFICATION forming part-of LettersPatent No. 781,877, dated February 7, 1905.

Application filed July 8,1904. Serial No. 215,818.

To It who/1t may (elbow-1t.-

Be it known that I, Mruns A. GARRET'L, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicage, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Draft and Bufling(irears or higgings for Cars, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to the means for transmitting the endwisemovements of the draw-bar to the car structure and at the same timerelieving the latter of the sudden and many times violent shocks thatare incident to draw-bar concussion. its objects and the novel featuresin which it consists are hereinafter fully described, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, which are made a part of this specification,and in which Figures 1, 2, and 3 are respectively a side elevation, aplan view, and a horizontal section of a draft and butting gearembodying the invention, the parts being shown in normal positions. Fig.& is a vertical longitudinal section thereof with the parts in the positions which they occupy when the draw-bar is under abutting strain andbefore it reaches the limit of its inward movement.

The draft-arms l carry at their outer ends a buffer-block 2, which isadapted to be engaged by a horn 3 on the head & of the drawbar 5. Thedistance between the block and horn represents the maximum inwardmovement of the draw-bar, and the block is one of a number of stops,others being described hereinafter for arresting the inward movement ofthe draw-bar and throwing directly onto the draft-arms the bufiingstrains in excess of those taken up by the buffing-cushion. The draw-baris provided with a transverse opening 6, in which fits snugly aremovable key 7, which passes through similar openings 8 in the outerends of a pair of links or bars 9, which partake of both the inward andoutward movements of the draw-bar and transmit the normal drawingstrains to the draftcushion, as hereinafter described. Collectivelythese links are hereinafter termed the yoke. The key passes also throughelongated slots 10 in the draft-arms. The length of these slots andtheir locations with relation to the key when in normal position aresuch that the shoulders 11, provided by their inner ends, form stops forlimiting the inward movement of the key, (and consequently the drawbar,)and the shoulders 12, provided by their outer ends, form stops forlimiting the outward movement of the key, (and consequently thedraw-ban) the. clearance or distance between the key and the stops lland 12 representing the maximum inward and outward movement,respectively, of the draw-bar. It will be observed that these distancesvary. The reason for this is that the proper cushioning of the d raw-barunder drawing strains can be accomplished in a shorter space and withless cushion capacity than is required to cushion it under butiingstrains and shocks. The provision for this unequal movement of thedraw-bar and the arrangement of stops at unequal distances from thenormal position of a part carried by the draw-bar and adapted to contactwith them when used in connection with a cushion of one capacity forabsorbing the drawing strains and a cushion of greater capacity forabsorbing the butting strains constitutes one feature of the presentinvention.

At the inner end of the draw-bar is a block 13, which has on its outerface a stud it, occupying a socket in the end of the draw-bar, the studand socket being of sufficient length to preventtheir disengagement whenthe d rawbar moves outward, leaving the block behind. All draw-barstrains, both drawing and buffing, that are put upon the cushions andsome of the excess strains that are put directly upon the draft-arms aretransmitted through this block, and by eliminating the stops 2, l1, and12 and certain other steps, hereinafter described, all strains would betransmitted through it. In transmitting drawing strains it has thefunction of a fixed abutment for the primarycushion, while intransmitting butling strains it has the function of a follower ordraw-bar extension interposed directly between the draw-bar and theprimary cushion, hereinafter described. It may appropriately be called afollower or an abutment, accordmgly as one or the other of its twofunctions is contemplated. For the sake of brevity it will be called ablock, but with the understanding that this term is used for want of abetter one and without implying any limitation as to shape, any part orparts, of whatever shape, that will perform the described functionsbeing within the scope of the invention. The block 13 has an elongatedslot 15, through which passes a pin 16,havingthe function of acrosstree, which passes also through elongated slots 17 and 18 in thesides of the yoke and draft-arms, respectively. Normally the inner sideof the crosstree contacts with the block at the inner end of the slot15, and the outer side of the crosstree contacts with the draft-arms atthe outer ends of the slots 18, so that the block and tree are preventedfrom moving outward from their normal positions and the outward ordrawing strains put upon the block are transmitted through the crosstreeto the draft-arms. The slots and 18 are of such length that theaggregate of clearance or spaces between the crosstree and the block anddraft-arms represents the maximum inward movement of the draw-bar. Thisclearance without affecting the operation of the device might be all inthe block, in which case the crosstree would be immovable, or all in thedraft-arms, in which case the crosstree and block would be immovablerelatively to each other. In either case the shoulders 19 at the innerends of the slots18 form stops for assisting in limiting the inwardmovement of the draw-bar.

The term cushion as used in this speeification is intended to comprehendany elastic or resilient substance or device of whatever constructionthat is adapted to receive the draw-bar strains and absorb or deadenmore or less of the shocks and concussions, and thus relieve the carstructure. Various substances and devices have been used for thispurpose, examples of which are blocks of rubber, metallic springs ofvarious construction arranged invarious ways, and friction deviceshaving springs as elements in their construction. In carrying out thepresent invention coiled metal springs are preferred, and at 20 a groupof nested springs, herein called the primary cushion, is shown. Eachnest projects at its outer end over a stud 21 on the block 13 and at itsinner end over a stud 22 on a part 23, hereinafter called a follower.This follower is movable in both directions from its normal position, sothat it partakes of both the inward and outward movement of thedraw-bar. At 24 a second group of nested springs, hereinafter called thesecondary cushion, is shown. Each nest projects at its outer end over astud 25 on the follower 23 and at its inner end over a stud 26 on ablock 27, fixed to the front side of the transom 28 and forming a fixedabutment. The terms primary and secondary are used only for the sake ofdistinction and not with the intention of implying any limitation thatis not otherwise expressed. They are appropriate, because while theso-called secondary cushion takes no part in the drawing action still inthe buffing action the strains first fall upon the so-called primarycushion and are transmitted through it to the follower 23 and thence toand through the secondary cushion to the transom. Thus the draft-armsare entirely relieved of all bufling strains excepting those that are inexcess of the capacity of the cushions and fall upon the stops 2, 11,and 19. The secondary cushion is preferably more powerful than theprimary cushion, and this is for the double purpose of providing apowerful reserve for the more violent bufling shocks and at the sametime enabling the use of a comparatively weak primary cushion for takingup the drawing shocks and easing the buffing shocks to the secondarycushion. A plurality of cushions which are successively called intoaction, each acting independently of the other, should not be confoundedwith a plurality of cushions each of which transmits its load to thenext in succession, especially if the primary cushion, or the one whichreceives the shocks initially, is the weaker.

For transmitting the drawing strains to the primary cushion without theintervention of the secondary cushion the follower 23 is provided withan opening in which fits snugly, but so as to be removable, a pin 29,which has the function of a crosstree. This pin passes also throughelongated slots and 31, formed through the sides of the yoke and throughthe draft-arms, respectively. The slots 30 are of such length and solocated that normally the inner side of the crosstree 29 contacts withthe sides of the yoke at the rear ends of the slots 30, so that as theyoke moves outward the crosstree is moved with it, and this movement istransmitted through the follower to the primary cushion. The slots 31are of suiiicient length to permit this movement and so located that atits completion the crosstree 29 will be in contact with stops 32. Theslots 30 provide sufficient clearance at the outer side of the crosstree29 to permit the yoke to move inward independently of the crosstree tothe full extent of the desired compression of the primary cushion, andsufficient clearance is provided by the slots 31 at the inner side ofthe crosstree to permit it to move inward to the full extent of thedesired compression of the secondary cushion.

The operation of the improved gear is as follows: The initial inwardmovement of the draw-bar carries with it the yoke 9 and the block 13 andcompresses the primary cushion to a greater or less extent, dependingupon the extent of the movement. The inner end of the primary cushionacting upon the follower 23 moves it more or less in opposition to theresistance of the secondary cushion, depending upon the load put uponthe primary cushion. As the inward movement of the drawsaid cushionsreact against each other under bar continues the cushions will becompressed more and more, the extent of compression being greater in theprimary cushion because of its inferior capacity. It is not desirable tocompress a spring until it becomes solid from end to end, because thistends to destroy its elasticity, and hence in order to shunt, as itwere, the primary cushion and transmit the butting strains directly tothe secondary cushion the shoulders 32: on the yoke are so disposed thatthey come in contact with the crosstree 2%) when the primary cushion hasbeen compressed to the desired extent. Thereafter the continued inwardmovement of the drawbar will be transmitted by the yoke to the crosstree29, thence to the follower i3, and thence to the secondary cushion 24:.In order to prevent injurious compression of the secondary cushion, thesteps 53 are so arranged that they engage the crosstree29 when thesecondary cushion has been compressed to the desired extent. Thedraw-bar is then at the extreme limit of its permitted inward movement.All additional strains tendingto moveit inward will be transmitted tothe draft-arms at four pointsviz., the buffer-block 2- and the stops 11,19, and 53and the cushions will be wholly relieved of any of thisexcess. In moving outward from its normal position, in which it is heldby the counter action of the two cushions. the initial movement will betransmitted through the yoke to the crosstree 29, thence to the followerQ3, thence to the primary cushion, thence to the block 13, and thencethrough the crosstrec 16 to the draft-arms. The secondary cushionperforms no function whatever in this action. As the outer movement ofthe draw-bar continues the key 7 will eventually reach the stops 12, theshoulder 35 on the yoke will reach the crosstree 16, and the crosstree29 will reach the stops 32, so that strains in excess of those that aretaken up by the primary cushion are transmitted to the draftarms withoutthe intervention of any cushioning device.

When coupled cars are standing or running on a curved track, theirdraw-bars are deflected more or less from their normal positions in thecentral line of the car, so that an inward thrust will have a tendencyto produce lateral strains on the parts. In order to lessen thistendency and centralize the impact upon the meeting faces of the block13 and the inner end of the draw-bar as much as possible, one or theother of them (preferably the block) is rounded off, shown at 36, andthe socket in which the stud 1 t tits is enlarged laterally, so that onepart may rock upon the other.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

I. In adraftand bufling gear, the combination of a draw-bar, primary andsecondary cushions,arranged to receive the inward thrust of thedraw-bar, and a follower through which said thrust,sai .l follower beingmovable in both directions from its normal position, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a draft and butling gear, the combination of a draw bar, primaryand secondary cushions, means for transmitting the inward thrust of thed raw-bar to the primary cushion, a follower movable in bothdirections'from its normal position arranged between the two cushionsand adapted to transmit said inward thrust from the primary to thesecondary cushion, and means for transmitting the outward movement ofthe dra\\"bar to the primary cushion, substantially as described.

3. In a draft and buffing gear, the combination of a draw-bar, primaryand secondary cushions arranged in line with the draw-bar and adapted toreceive the inward thrust, a follower movable in both directions fromits normal position arranged between the cushions, a yoke fortransmitting the outward movement of the draw-bar to the follower, saidyoke having clearance for permitting its inward movement relatively tothe follower, substantially as described.

a. In a draft and butling gear, the combination of a draw-bar, a primarycushion adapted to receive at its outer end the inward thrust of thedraw-bar, a follower at the inner end of the primary cushion, asecondary cushion arranged to receive at its outer end the inwardmovement of the follower, an abutment at the inner end of the secondarycushion and means for transmitting the outward movement of the draw-barto the follower, the parts being provided with clearance for permittingthe inward movement of the draw-bar relatively to the follower,substantially as described.

5. In a draft and bufiing gear, the combina tion of a draw-bar, aprimary cushion, means for transmitting the inward thrust of the drawbarto the outer side of the primary cushion, a fixed abutment forpreventing the outward movemcntof the primary cushion beyond its normalposition, a follower movable in both directions from its normal positionengaging the inner side of the primary cushion, a secondary cushionarranged to resist the inward movement of the follower, and means fortransmitting the outward movement of the draw-bar to the follower,substantially as described.

6. In a draft and bulling gear, the combination of a draw-bar, meansincluding cushions for holding the (.lraw-bar in normal position, andstops for arresting the inward and outward movement of the draw-bar atunequal distances from its normal position, substan tially as described.

7. In a draft and butling gear, the combination of a draw-bar, primaryand secondary cushions, means for transmitting the inward movement ofthe draw-bar to both of said cushions, means for transmitting theoutward movement of the draw-bar to one only of said cushions, and meansfor arresting the inward and outward movement of the draw-bar at unequaldistances from its normal position, substantially as described.

8. In a draft and buffing gear, the combination of a draw-bar, a yokecarried by the drawbar, and fixed relatively thereto, primary andsecondary cushions, a follower arranged between the cushions fortransmitting the strains from one to the other, means for transmittingthe inward movement of the draw-bar to the primary cushion, and aslotted connection between the yoke and the follower for transmittingthe outward movement of the drawbar to the follower, and permitting theinward movement of the yoke relatively to the follower, substantially asdescribed.

9. In a draft and buffing gear, the combination of a draw-bar, a blockat the inner end of the draw-bar, means for permitting the inward andpreventing the outward movement of the block from normal position, aprimary cushion arranged at the inner side of the block and adapted toreceive the inward thrust of the draw-bar, a follower movable in bothdirections from its normal position, and adapted to receive the inwardthrust of the draw-bar transmitted through the primary cushion, asecondary cushion for resisting the inward movement of the follower, andmeans for transmitting the outward movement of the draw-bar to thefollower, substantially as described.

lO. In a draft and bufiing gear, the combination of draft-arms, adraw-bar, a yoke movable in both directions with the draw-bar, a slottedblock at the inner end of the drawbar, a crosstree passing through theslot of the block and supported by the draft-arms,

. the parts being provided with clearance for permitting the inward andpreventing the outward movement of the block from its normal position, aprimary cushion for resisting the inward movement of the block, afollower for receiving the inward thrust of the primary cushion, acrosstree movable with the follower, and connected to the yoke, theparts being provided with clearance for permitting the movement of thetree, in both directions from its normal position, and for permittingthe inward movement of the yoke relatively to the follower, and asecondary cushion for resisting the inward movement of the fol-- lower,substantially as described.

11. In a draft and buffing gear, the combination of a draw-bar, a yoke,primary and secondary cushions, a follower arranged between thecushions, means for connecting the yoke and follower whereby thefollower partakes of the outward movement of the drawbar, the partsbeing provided with clearance for permitting a limited inward movementof the draw-bar independently of the follower, means for transmittingthe initial inward thrust of the draw-bar to the primary cushion, andthence through the follower to the secondary cushion and means forlimiting the inward movement of the follower, substantially asdescribed.

12. In a draft and bufling gear, the combination of a draw-bar, a blockat the inner end of the draw-bar, and suitable cushioning devicesarranged in operative relation to the draw-bar and block, said draw-barand block having rocking engagement with each other, substantially asdescribed.

MYERS A. GARRETT.

Witnesses:

L.,M. HOPKINS, JOHN L. HANLEY.

